Sixth Form Parents Advice EveningSixth Form Parents Advice Evening

Supporting Application to Competitive CoursesSupporting Application to Competitive Courses

Sue Skyrme (Personal Tutor - Progression)

How competitive are such courses?How competitive are such courses?Very!

CourseCourse ApplicationsApplications AcceptedAccepted

OxfordOxford allall 14,33314,333 3,2593,259

CambridgeCambridge allall 14,30014,300 3,3813,381

All……All…… MedicineMedicine 73,37473,374 7,8377,837

ImperialImperial allall 14,65414,654 2,3742,374

Royal Vet.Royal Vet. Veterinary MedicineVeterinary Medicine 1,4381,438 324324

All…….All……. DentistryDentistry 11,28311,283 1,1991,199

2007 figures from UCAS Statistical Services

How We Prepare Students for Competitive How We Prepare Students for Competitive Courses at UniversityCourses at University

From the start of year 12 students are encouraged to begin researching universities and courses from sources such as:

The internet! www.ucas.com

wellsway6thform.wikispaces.com

AimHigher

University websites

www.careerscapeonline.co.uk www.unistats.com

Times education, Guardian education…….

….see school website (careers)

How We Prepare Students for Competitive How We Prepare Students for Competitive Courses at UniversityCourses at University

Build up a Build up a progress fileprogress file throughout year 12 (exam results / reports / work throughout year 12 (exam results / reports / work experience / paid work / extra curricular / contribution to school life etc.experience / paid work / extra curricular / contribution to school life etc.

Term 5&6 year 12 – how to write a Term 5&6 year 12 – how to write a CVCV and and Personal StatementPersonal Statement. Begin . Begin process of electronic application to UCASprocess of electronic application to UCAS

Identify students who will need to take BMAT (BioMedical Admission Test), Identify students who will need to take BMAT (BioMedical Admission Test), UKCAT (Clinical Aptitude), MSAT (Medical School Admissions Test), LNAT UKCAT (Clinical Aptitude), MSAT (Medical School Admissions Test), LNAT (Law National Admissions Test). This has to be taken prior to applying (Law National Admissions Test). This has to be taken prior to applying through UCAS. Details on through UCAS. Details on www.ucas.co.uk www.ucas.co.uk or individual university or individual university prospectuses.prospectuses.

Oxford/Cambridge/Medical/Vet/Dental students must meet deadline of 15th Oxford/Cambridge/Medical/Vet/Dental students must meet deadline of 15th September to hand in progress file so that references can be written – final September to hand in progress file so that references can be written – final UCAS application date is 15th OctoberUCAS application date is 15th October

Interview workshop and subject specialist interviewsInterview workshop and subject specialist interviews

How Parents Can HelpHow Parents Can Help Understand the UCAS/ CUKAS processUnderstand the UCAS/ CUKAS process

Encourage students to undertake relevant and varied work experience Encourage students to undertake relevant and varied work experience throughout years 12 and 13. This is absolutely essential for vet/medicine.throughout years 12 and 13. This is absolutely essential for vet/medicine.

Encourage students to attend university open days www.opendays.com and Encourage students to attend university open days www.opendays.com and courses such as www.medlink-uk.com . See www.workshop-uk.com for courses such as www.medlink-uk.com . See www.workshop-uk.com for courses for future professionals including law, vet etc.courses for future professionals including law, vet etc.

Encourage Encourage detailed researchdetailed research into the courses and help them to write an into the courses and help them to write an excellent personal statementexcellent personal statement

Ensure application is complete and handed to us at the beginning of Term 1 Ensure application is complete and handed to us at the beginning of Term 1 year 13.year 13.

Ensure thorough preparation for interview.Ensure thorough preparation for interview.

Other notes/thoughts……..Other notes/thoughts……..

Individual module results are important….. top Individual module results are important….. top universities will ask for them.universities will ask for them.

Talk to students who have been through the process or Talk to students who have been through the process or are studying at chosen universityare studying at chosen university

Top universities are looking for well rounded, Top universities are looking for well rounded, independent learners who show a real passion for the independent learners who show a real passion for the subjectsubject